Filed Date: June 24, 1998
Closed Date: 1998
Clearinghouse coding complete
On August 15, 1997, the Department of Justice [DOJ] notified Dickens County, Texas, that it was initiating an investigation of certain conditions of confinement at the Dickens County Correctional Center ("DCCC") in Spur, Texas, pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act ("CRIPA"), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq. At the time of the DOJ investigation, the DCCC was operated by a private jail company, BRG of Dickens County, Inc. and its subsidiaries [BRG].
Following the conclusion of its investigation, the DOJ was ready to issue its findings letter. In an attempt to stop the DOJ, BRG obtained a TRO in Texas state court on June 18, 1998, enjoining the DOJ from issuing the findings letter. The DOJ removed the matter to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
On June 29, 1998, the District Court (Judge Sam R. Cummings) granted BRG leave to file an amended complaint. The First Amended Complaint, filed on July 1, 1998, alleged that the DOJ violated the provisions of CRIPA and violated a confidentiality agreement between the DOJ and BRG. The DOJ moved to dismiss.
On July 17, 1998, the District Court dismissed the case and dissolved the state court's TRO. In the dismissal order, Judge Cummings noted that BRG was essentially attempting to challenge the DOJ's certification process which was not subject to judicial review.
The PACER docket does not reflect that BRG filed a notice of appeal in the case and there was no further activity noted after the dismissal.
Summary Authors
Dan Dalton (2/25/2007)
Cummings, Samuel Ray (Texas)
Johnson, D. Thomas (Texas)
Frost, E. Scott (Texas)
Masling, Mark S. (District of Columbia)
Nelson, Mellie H. (District of Columbia)
Cummings, Samuel Ray (Texas)
Last updated March 25, 2024, 3:09 a.m.
State / Territory: Texas
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: June 24, 1998
Closing Date: 1998
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
A private, for-profit corporation operating the Dickens County Correctional Center
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Dickens County (Dickens), County
BRG of Dickens County, Private Entity/Person
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq.
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Defendant
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief: